Why deciles change

Recalculated deciles better reflect schools’ current circumstances and mean funding can be targeted as intended — to help schools overcome any barriers to learning that students from lower socio-economic communities might face.

Results of the 2014 decile recalculation

800 schools moved to a lower decile and had their funding for 2015 increased

822 schools had no change in their decile

784 schools moved to a higher decile, and will receive decreased funding over time.

Key dates for funding changes

For schools moving to a lower decile

For schools with a lower decile, their new, higher funding rates apply from the beginning of the 2015 school year (28 January 2015).

For schools moving to a higher decile – transition dates

For schools with a higher decile, their new, lower funding rates will be gradually introduced over 18 months. These schools:

remain on the 2014 funding rate until 1 July 2015

move half way towards their new funding rate on 1 July 2015

move the rest of the way on 1 July 2016.

This gradual approach allows more time for schools to plan for the change.

Resources affected by decile changes

Three components of the operational grant depend on school deciles.

Targeted Funding for Educational Achievement

The Special Education Grant

The Careers Information Grant.

Deciles affect the allocation of the following Ministry of Education resources.

Resource Teachers for Learning and Behaviour — we’ve already determined allocations by cluster for the current contract round, using old deciles. We have no plans to change these allocations. The next contract round is several years away.

Reading Recovery — we’ve determined the allocation for 2015 and it won’t be altered. We’ll consider changes for 2016.

Social Workers in Schools — we’ve determined the allocations under current contracts using old deciles. We have no plans to change this allocation.

Kura Transport — kura in deciles 1 to 4 that are moving to deciles 5 to 10 have lost some transport funding from the beginning of 2015. We’ve identified 2 kura as being affected.

A decile change can also affect principal and teacher remuneration as follows.

Principals’ salaries — for a school with a higher decile rating, the decile funding component of a principal’s salary will be protected for a period of 24 months from the beginning of the 2015 school year.

Staffing Incentive Allowance, High Priority Principals’ Allowance and Priority Teacher Staffing Allowance — these allowances aren’t explicitly linked to deciles. However, deciles are one of a number of factors that we take into account when we determine the list of eligible schools. We have no plans to change the lists at this time — we would consult with teacher unions if any changes were considered in the future.